The Town continued its full mobilization throughout the weekend. There was good progress in clearing roadways, removing trees, and restoring power. However, there still are roadways that are completely blocked. Most roads that are compromised are partially opening with one lane travel at the problem area. There are also many roads where both travel lanes are open, but there is debris on the roadway or along roadway shoulders.
The Town of Greenwich Emergency Operations Center continues to deal with the damage to the wire grid throughout the entire community, and there are still numerous Eversource contractors in the Town. The Town of Greenwich teams will continue to be working on debris removal.
The Greenwich Emergency Operations Center’s top priority is the total restoration of power.
According to Eversource, approximately 8% of the Town remains without power.
The Town government continues to advocate with Eversource and the other utility companies for the resources to address our issues.
The Town of Greenwich will continue this week to emphasize the restoration of crucial services to our residents and businesses and seek a return to normalcy as soon as possible.
Tropical Storm Isaias Response Information
Blocked or Obstructed Roads
For a complete closure list, please visit https://www.greenwichct.gov/345/13151/Police and then click the link Tropical Storm Isaias Road Closure List. A road opening is a fluid process. There may be a road cleared off the map and open but subsequently be closed later for a time to reset utility poles or to allow for additional cleanup. Note- the clearing of the reported closures is happening faster then the map can be updated.
The map may show a road as closed, but it may have been cleared. If a closure, blocked public roadway by trees, wires, or both is not on the map, please call 203-622-8004.
As of 9:15 AM
27 Completely blocked roadways.
63 Partial Openings- These are roads where a tree or wire is blocking one travel lane, but traffic is passable around the block.
25 Open with Debris- The roadway is open, but there is a large number of tree debris, trees on the wire, and/or wires along the shoulder.
The Town of Greenwich Tree Department and Department of Public works are in storm cleanup operations.
The Eversource contractors continue to work on the priorities set by Eversource. Please contact Eversource for outage information.
The Emergency Operations Center would like to remind residents many wires are still hidden under branches and other debris. All wires need to be treated as live. Keep away from any wire on the ground. Electrocution can occur with a downed power line, or with the earth near a downed power line.
Cooling and Charging Stations
The Town of Greenwich has opened a second cooling and charging station.
- The Greenwich Senior Center, 299 Greenwich Avenue, will be a cooling and charging station on Monday thru Wednesday (August 10th – 12th) between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
- The entrance to the Senior Center is made via the ramp entrance off Greenwich Avenue.
- Please wear a face mask and maintain proper social distancing if you come to use the facility.
- There will not be any food service or restroom facilities available.
- The John Margenot Atrium, located within the Town of Greenwich Public Safety Complex at 11 Bruce Place, is still an active cooling and charging station and is open 24 hours a day. Please wear a face mask and maintain proper social distancing if you come to use the facility.
Carbon Monoxide
The Fire Department has been responding to numerous carbon monoxide alarms, many caused by portable generators. If the concentration of carbon monoxide is above 35 ppm, it can be toxic. Early symptoms are Headache, Nausea, Dizziness, and Fatigue. Most causes during outages are from portable generators. Place generators outside 20’ from any structure. Shut windows that are on that side of the home. If you experience any of these symptoms, call 911.
Welfare Checks
The Greenwich Police Department has been performing welfare checks at various locations throughout the Town. If you need the Greenwich Police Department to check on an elderly or vulnerable person who resides in Greenwich, please call 203-622-8004. Please continue to check on your elderly relatives and neighbors to be sure they are doing well during this outage.
Previous Relevant Information
Department of Public Works
Storm Debris- Please remember the Town will clean up downed Town trees in the right of way. Please do not put your own private property trees/branches or other debris out in the street or right of way – it will not be picked up and may endanger recovery efforts.
If your private refuse hauler cannot get to your residence for your debris, organic material - like spoiled food – should first be transported to the Town Transfer Station on Holly Hill Road. You may need to keep your other storm debris on your parcel until your hauler can remove it. The Town’s Transfer Station does have a limit on what it can handle.
Town DPW priorities are oriented to health and safety, as well as focus on Greenwich Hospital, The Nathaniel Witherell nursing home, police, and fire facilities, residences for the elderly, and the wastewater collection system infrastructure (i.e., pump stations, low-pressure sewer neighborhoods, and the treatment plant).
From a traffic standpoint, the Town focuses on opening major north/south and east/west arteries to facilitate both emergency and repair/cleanup response.
Greenwich Fire Department
Fire Hydrants - Fire Hydrants are essential to fire suppression for active fires. Fire Hydrants need to be cleared in a 3-foot radius. Please do not place debris near these hydrants.
Non-Potable Water - Water is available to residents who need non-potable water to flush toilets. The water is available at the listed fire stations and is self-service. Residents will need to bring their own containers.
Fire Stations
- Round Hill Fire House at 166 Old Mill Road, Greenwich – Hose is located on the parking lot side of the building.
- Banksville Fire House at 33 Bedford- Banksville Road, Banksville - Hose is located in the rear by the back door.
- North Street Fire House at 669 North Street, Greenwich - Hose in front of the building.
- Glenville Fire House at 266 Glenville Road, Greenwich - Hose is located on the front ramp.
- Cos Cob Fire House at 200 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich - Hose is located to the rear.
Generators - Improperly installed electrical generators can create a hazard. A licensed electrician should perform all work on your home’s electrical system. Generator back-feeding can result in death or injury to yourself or utility work. Back-feeding is the tying of a portable generator directly to your home’s electrical panel/ outlet instead of using a transfer switch.
Fire Alarms - If your home or business has a hard-wired fire alarm, the battery backup needs to be checked. A prolonged power outage can drain the battery.
Town of Greenwich Department of Health
Power outages can pose health hazards. During power outages:
- Unplug your appliances.
- Generators should be used with caution. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and NEVER operate a generator indoors. DO NOT supply generator power to your home’s mainline as you may injure a utility employee. Be aware of the cords used with a generator and the location of pooled water at all times.
- Conserve fuel and water. A few large containers can be filled with warm water for an emergency supply.
- Observe health precautions when issued.
- Do not use charcoal grills indoors or gas stoves as a source of heat. Both can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Fireplaces may be used if they are properly vented.
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed. With the door closed, fully stacked freezers will keep for two days, while half-full freezers will keep food for one day. Dry ice can be used safely in freezers; however, gloves must be worn in handling and proceed as recommended.
- All thawed food may be cooked if maintained below 45 degrees F; otherwise, it should be discarded. It is not recommended to refreeze any food once it has thawed.
- Refrigerated food, especially perishable items such as eggs, milk, fish, meat, and poultry, should be maintained at 45 degrees or below. Foods should be cooked or discarded after three hours of not being maintained at proper temperatures. All stuffed meats and poultry should be discarded. Any doubt concerning food items, discard or contact the Division of Environmental Health at 203-987-1001, to discuss certain situations.
Greenwich Police Department
The Police Department continues to deploy extra officers to help in the recovery response. The standard operating level of officers has remained the same and will answer all calls for service without an issue. The added officers are assigned to the utility and public works crews to provide a safe work zone to open the road and restore power.
Parks and Recreation Department
The Parks and Recreation Department has contracted extra tree-clearing crews to assist in the cleanup process.
The Parks and Recreation Department has prepared an informational flyer regarding park access and cancellation. To access the flyer, visit https://www.greenwichct.gov/149/Parks-Recreation.
Contact Eversource.com, https://www.verizon.com, or https://www.optimum.net/ for outage information.
Contact the Town of Greenwich Public Safety Complex Dispatch Center at 203-622-8004 to report trees and wires downed and if roadways are blocked.
Dialing 9-1-1 is only for emergencies.
Please be safe. The town crews and utility contractors are throughout the Town cleaning up. The return to normalcy will take some time, and we continue to ask for your patience.